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Chapter Text

Dear Terence,

      I know I won't be able to send you this letter for a while, but I still wanted to write to you. It has been 2 days since I began residing with Peter Pan, and for a Shadow Walker, I'll admit he's very accommodating. Peter Pan is his name if you were asking. In any case, he's given me my own space in his hideout so I can rest and have time to myself. It's nice that he gives me privacy, but I wonder if he has ulterior motives. He doesn't know that I know what he is, and as far as I am concerned, he doesn't know some other fairies got out. 

Speaking of which, Vidia gave me quite the earful when I explained my reasoning for going along with Pan.

"So does he know if we got out?" Vidia asked me after I explained what happened the day after we last say each other.

"No," I confirmed. "And it's best we keep it that way. in the meantime, you guys have to keep a low profile until I can figure out what to do."

"Don't worry," Vidia reassured. "We're hiding out near the peak. Zarina's working on Pixie Dust, and I can deliver it to you when I can, okay."

"Okay," I accepted. "So you're not mad?" 

"Oh, I am furious that you put yourself in harm's way," Vidia confessed to me. "But if this is the only way to stop him, then fine."

"I'll be careful," I tried to assure her. Before Vidia could respond, however, we saw a fairy flying around. "I thought all the other fairies were hiding out," I whispered as I turned towards Vidia.

"They're supposed to be," Vidia replied. "Elwood, if that is you, so help me," she murmured under her breath. 

The two of us then flew over to see Chloe flying over where Pixie Hollow was. 

"CHLOE," we both whispered-yelled as we pulled her away behind a tree.

"How did you get out?" I asked her. 

"Get out of what?" Chloe responded. "I've been practicing for the next Pixie Hollow games go-kart race. When I was on my way back, Pixie Hollow was gone. I've been flying around the area since."

"I don't think you're getting back to Pixie Hollow anytime soon," Vidia claimed. "We've all been blocked off."

"WHAT?" Chloe yelled, only for Vidia and me to both cover her mouth. 

"Quiet," I whispered to her. "The person who did this thinks I'm the only one who got out, and we need to keep it that way." 

"How many others got out?" Chloe asked us once she had removed our hands. 

"Including us, not many," Vidia answered. "We had to get the animals out first, then we did a fairy evacuation." 

"Vidia, you should take her back to your hiding place," I told her. "If I'm not back soon, Peter might get suspicious." I then turned to Chloe. "Vidia is handling things on the other side, She will fill you in once you two are safe."

"We'll talk later, Tink," Vidia claimed. She then took Chloe by the arm and flew her away.

Once I got back to the tree, I saw Peter Pan sitting in his seat, waiting for me.

"Where were you, Tink?" Peter asked me in a seemingly calm voice. 

"I went to look for some lost things," I lied. "I didn't find anything tonight."

"Do you always like searching for lost things?" he asked me out of genuine curiosity. 

"Yes," I admitted. "I would always find fun ways to use the items. Once I used an old comb and a teacup to make a cleaning station for the mouse, you saw the other day."

"That sounds cool," Peter claimed. He then walked over to me. "I'll tell you what, if I find any lost things, I'll let you know."

"Really,' I responded, shocked.

"Yeah," he confirmed. "Imagine what fun we can have with what you make. That pirate captain will lose his mind." He then laughed and went back to his seat to rest, leaving me to go back to my sitting area.

      That's the funny thing about Peter Pan. One moment, he sounds so supportive and nice. Then he says comments like that, and you feel like he wants to use those skills to cause mayhem. Maybe that's how Shadow Walkers do it. Lure people in and make them believe it's all fun and games. Hopefully, no one else falls into his trap. If Vidia and I didn't find Chloe when we did, she could have fallen under his control. He's that persuasive. Maybe in another life, I would have followed him blindly. But this is not that life. I know who he is and what he's done. And I promise, Terence, I will free Pixie Hollow and get you guys out. 

                                                                                                                                                             -Tink

P.S. Don't worry about apologizing for shoveing me. I know you were only looking out for me.

Chapter Text

Dear Tink,

      First off, I want to apologize for shoving you out of Pixie Hollow. While I don't regret getting you out in time, I do feel bad about the shoving part. Second, I know you probably won't see this letter for a while, but it feels good to write this down. It's almost like I'm talking to you again.

Things in Pixie Hollow are different with the seal in effect. For example, with the animals out of Pixie Hollow, the animal fairies are restless and are trying to find something to do. A few of them have joined Nyx and the other scouts to investigate the barrier to find a way out. A few have decided to help some of the other fairies with their talents in their own ways. The rest are helping Dewey and the winter fairies with research.

Before you ask, because I know you, Peri is fine. After Queen Clarion addressed the warm fairies of Pixie Hollow, I went to check on her and the others. She is a lot like you when she is angry.

"You did what?" Peri yelled at me. I had just finished telling her about how I had to shove her sister out of Pixie Hollow, and saw her talking to Peter Pan.

"I had to," I insisted. "She wouldn't have left unless I made her." 

"Still, making her leave alone?" Peri reiterated. "Do you even know how dangerous he is?"

"I'm sure Tink has a plan," I claimed. 

"I know," Peri relented and sat on a snowy tree branch. "I just hate that she's alone with him. I know you were just looking out for her, but who knows what that being has planned?"

"It could be why Tink is going with him," I suggested. "She probably thought that if she went with him, she could keep the others safe."

"Wait!" Peri replied, shocked. "Other fairies got out?"

"Yeah," I answered. "A small group did. Fawn, Vidia, Zarina, and a few others. Nollie claimed that Elwood was accidentally carried by a bird." That last one got Periwinkle to laugh, as she calmed down. 

"Tink will be okay, right?" she asked me one final time.

"She knows exactly what she's doing," I reassured her. 

"Just do me one favor when she gets back," Peri requested. 

"And that is?" I questioned.

"Tell her you like her already!" Peri claimed loudly. "Even Silvermist is sick of this, and she's Silvermist."

Everyone is handling things differently. Silvermist, Iridessa, and Rosetta are handling things okay. They did grill me on why I didn't make it out until Baden explained how he found me with my foot stuck. I know he's supposed to report most sightings, but sometimes I wish he would leave certain things out. Clank, Bobble, Chipper, and Fairy Mary were worried when I told them what happened. But I must say, Fairy Mary had some words I would rather not write on this paper. 

The dust keepers are still working on Pixie Dust production as normal, so I have been busy as normal as well. Although I admit I still wonder why Fairy Gary insists on us doing this when we won't be going to the mainland anytime soon. Then again, his reasoning made sense when asked.

"Fairy Gary, why do we have to keep making all this Pixie Dust?" Bolt asked. 

"It's not like anyone's going to the mainland anytime soon," Flint added.

"That may be," Fairy Gary admitted to us. "But when the other fairies return and the barrier is destroyed, they are going to need a lot of Pixie Dust. Imagine if they have any new fairies with them."

"He makes a good point, guys," Yvette agreed. "Besides, I think some of us could use the distraction." She then turned to me, as did Flint and Bolt. I know they wanted to tease me, but for once, Fairy Gary wasn't having any of it.

"Alright, everyone, back to work," Fairy Gary claimed. He then flew back to the counter, but not before giving me a sympathetic glance and a pat on the shoulder.

I guess it's obvious to them that I already miss being able to hang out with you. Usually, after a shift, we would just joke about the two teasers and finish one of your creations. But I know you're doing your best to make sure we meet again. Hopefully, it will be sooner than we think.

                                                                                                                                                                                                       -Terence

Chapter Text

"So, while I was gone, a Shadow Walker by the name of Peter Pan sealed off Pixie Hollow and took Tink under his wing. You and a handful of others got out and are currently hiding out near the peak and the fate of us returning home lies with Tink pretending to be an ally of the being who caused all of this?" Chloe recapped to me as I guided her back to our hideout. 

"Pretty much," I confirmed.

"I would've thought that Terence would be with her at least," Chloe voiced aloud. 

"He was supposed to," I replied. "But he shoved her out of the portal last minute, when his foot got stuck on a branch."

"Okay that makes sense," Chloe accepted. After a few seconds of silent flying, we finally returned to our hideout. 

"Hey guys," I called out. "Guess who I found flying about?" I then shoved Chloe towards the area of flowers that housed a few of the fairies.

"CHLOE!!" they yelled as they flew towards her.

"Where have you been?" Olwen asked. "No ones heard from you even before Pixie Hollow was sealed."

"Yeah I was outside practicing my kart driving skills for the next games," Chloe explained. "When I was on my way back, Pixie Hollow wasn't there. I've been flying around the area, until Tink and Vidia found me."

"How is she?" Fawn asked. 

"She's doing okay, I think," I answered Fawn truthfully. "We couldn't talk for long before he got suspicous, but she seems like she has a plan."

"Okay," Fawn accepted. "Come on Chloe, lets get you into a temporary house and we'll get you sorted out." Fawn then guided Chloe to an empty flower hideout. They're not like our houses at home, but they will hold us for the time being. 

Once Fawn guided Chloe to a flower, I began flying to Zarina's hideout at Dead Man's Cave. Once I got there I saw Zarina in the zone, as Tink would call it. Not wanting a repeat of the time Tink accidentally threw her hammer at me, I simply waited for her to finish her work and let my mind wander.

Tinkerbell is in way over her head this time. I know she's trying to protect us, but she shouldn't have to do this. I should have been there. Why wasn't I there? 

"Vidia," Zarina called out, pulling me from my thoughts. "You good? You zoned out again."

"Yeah I'm fine," I claimed, but I know she doesn't believe me. "We found Chloe."

"Wait seriously?" Zarina replied shocked. "How did she get out?"

"She was already out," I explained. "Apparently she's like Tink, when it comes to being in the zone."

The response got a laugh out of both of us. It was nice. Laughing like this for the first time since the mess began.

"How is she holding up?" Zarina asked. 

"She's managing," I confirm.

"And you?"

"Dealing," I responded. 

"Really?"

"Yes, really," I persisted. "Now hows the research coming for winter?"

"It's going well," Zarina claimed. "I managed to get the last of the talents down, and now I just need to figure out what to do about generating more in 2 years. Where's Terence when you need him."

"Probably getting yelled at by Periwinkle as we speak," I joked. "So do you have any-"

Before we could say more, we heard a familiar voice yelling and getting louder as he grew closer. 

"Take cover," Zarina told me, as we gathered her research and hid behind one of the rocks.

"THAT BLASTED PETER PAN," the voice yelled.

"No," Zarina whispered. But we both knew who it was.

"The boy needs to grow up," the voice claimed. "I don't mind fun and games, but this is too much Smee. I mean he literally took all of my notes from that fairy and sunk them into the river and he replaced our food supply with a crocodile that nearly ate one of our men's arms. He has to go." 

Taking the oppurtunity, Zarina placed her equipment next to me and flew towards the pirate.

"Hello James," She spoke as she signed the words. "I couldn't help but overhear that we share a common enemy. If you don't plan on stabbing me in the back again, what do you say to a temporary team up?"

Chapter Text

Terence,

            Two months with Pan, and I already hate the kind of person he is. What happened was disgusting and beyond horrific. Do you remember that pirate, James, I told you about? Well, Peter Pan and I had a run-in with him upon his ship. Or rather, He ambushed him, and I was forced to pretend to enjoy it. 

Peter insisted I follow him to an active pirate ship to look for lost things to claim, while he messed around with James. Zarina told me quite a bit about him after her adventures with his old crew. Apparently, despite betraying her, she still reflects on fond memories with him. After what happened, I can see why.

"Come on, you old codfish," Peter Pan called out as he was flying around messing with James and his crew. "I thought you were supposed to be good at this." Peter Pan insisted that I follow him to the ship so I could have some fun. He then told me to mess with some of the pirates. So to get away from him, I went down to the hold to find something minor enough they don't miss it, but decent enough to use in a normal state. While digging, I was met with a familiar face.

"Vidia," I whispered, yelling. "What are you doing here?" 

"Zarina made a better deal with James," Vidia explained to me.

"Wait, she made a deal with him?" I replied, shocked. "Why would she do that, after what happened last time?"

"Apparently, he hates Peter Pan more than he hates us," Vidia claimed. "When Zarina told him what Peter Pan did to us, he was on board to help us find a way to take him down."

"What if he stabs us in the back?" I brought up. 

"He won't," Vidia reassured me. "Especially since Fawn has a certain crocodile on standby."

"Good," I accepted her response. "I'm just grabbing something minor, so Pan isn't suspicious."

"What is he doing up there?" Vidia asked. 

"Messing with James," I answered. "I should probably head back up there soon." Before I could fly away, though, Vidia grabbed my arm.

"Are you doing okay?" she asked me, showing concern. 

"I'm managing," I responded. "I'm still figuring things out, but hopefully I find something soon."

"Okay," Vidia said as she let go of my arm.

Vidia has been worried about me lately. As I have said in my other letters, she has been looking at me with glances of guilt every time we have crossed paths. She often checks in on me at every meetup and has been asking questions about everything that has happened. 

I'm honestly happy that Vidia and I can talk even for a bit, though. Aside from these letters, talking with her is the only thing keeping me sane. Especially today.

As I got outside the ship, I witnessed Peter Pan grab a sword-like knife he stole from another pirate and throw it at a man with a tiny red hat and blue striped shirt. 

"SMEE!" James yelled as he rushed to the man he called Smee and pushed him out of the way.

Smee was saved, but as Smee got up, he and I both noticed the blood on his shirt. We both turned to look at James to see his hand removed and blood coming out of where his hand was cut off. I turned to look at Peter, only to see him laughing as he grabbed Hook's hand. 

"Looking for something?" He called out as he raised the now-removed hand into the sky. He then tossed it into to water, where the croc Vidia told me about was about to eat an apple Vidia tossed at the same time as the hand. Because of the timing, I saw the croc accidentally eat James' hand along with the apple. 

Peter Pan then flew to me. "You should have some more time to find stuff, Tink," he told me in a calm tone. "They'll be busy for quite a while." He then flew back to the hideout.

I know James isn't a good person to us, but even he didn't deserve it. I should have stopped Peter, but instead I froze. And now, because of that, James ended up losing his hand and nearly died. I was just lucky that things worked out. Once Peter Pan was out of sight, I decided make sure he survived.

I rushed to check on James and saw that he was still bleeding and was about to pass out. Knowing the risks, I went back down to the hold and grabbed what I could to help stop the bleeding. Once down there, I saw a few items that I thought could help. I first grabbed some old red cloth to use as a way to stop the bleeding and wrap the wound. Then I grabbed a semi-cylinder looking piece of metal that had a hole in it. Lastly, the weirdest thing I found was a metal hook that looked like it could fit into the metal piece I found. 

I then took what I found and quickly rushed to the pirate captain. He was already passed out when I got back to him, but the bleeding still hasn't stopped. So I got to work. I took the red cloth and wrapped it tightly around where his hand used to be to apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Once I was sure that it was tight, I took the metal half-cylinder and attached it to cover the makeshift bandage. Just for safe measure, I then took the random hook I found and placed it where the hole in the metal was to cover the wound. 

I then looked to Smee, and I said while signing, "He is going to need rest and some water. But he should be fine." 

"Thank you," He replied. I then flew away from the ship before James could wake up. 

Before going back to the hangman tree, I went to where Pixie Hollow once was, and for the first time since meeting Peter Pan, I openly cried. 

I later saw James a few days later, he seemed to be doing better physically, but mentally he seemed different. Vidia told me two days after the mess that what I did managed to save him, but now he's panicking all the time, and he's more afraid of the crocodile than ever. According to Vidia, Fawn said the crocodile feels incredibly guilty for accidentally eating his hand and has now decided to follow James to protect him. However, I think it's having the opposite effect on James.

After he betrayed Zarina, I thought that James didn't care about anyone in his crew, but seeing him risk his life to save Smee like that, it made me realize that I was wrong. Peter Pan may be a monster, but James is just someone trying to survive. I may not understand why he was willing to betray Zarina, yet he did what he did for Smee. But I want to understand. 

I'm glad things worked out and that Peter doesn't know that I saved him, but our talk after the incident almost made me sick.

"So did you find anything?" Peter asked me as I returned to the tree. 

"Nothing really," I claimed. "There were mainly old clothes and hammocks." I then sat down in a tiny seat he set up for me just above his seat. I then asked him a question that rattled my brain. "Why did you do it?" 

Peter looked at me in shock. "What do you mean?" he asked for clarification. 

"Why did you try to kill Smee and then feed James' hand to the crocodile?" I specified. 

"Well, the Smee part was just to see how he would react," Peter confessed. "I mean, the way he runs with those sandals is pretty funny. As for James, I thought his hand would be retribution for what he did to your friend."

"What do you mean?" I questioned confused. 

"That day we met at the cove and you told me what he did to you and your friends," Peter reminded me. "I thought he got off too easily, so when I saw the opportunity, I got a little payback."

"So you did that for me?" I clarified shocked. 

"It's what friends are for," He told me.

It's my fault he lost his hand. Peter claims he did it for me as an act of friendship. If I had never told him of what happened to Zarina, none of this would have happened. My conversation with him led to pain being inflicted on someone else. He can justify this by claiming he was being a friend. I know I would do anything for my friends, but would I even be capable of doing what he did? Like James, I am willing to and have sacrificed a lot for my friends and sister, but would I be willing to go that far? I don't know what to do. 

I wish you were here, Terence, you would always know what to say. I just hope you understand what happened. Maybe so, at least one of us does.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             -Tink

Chapter Text

"I can't believe he went that far," Zarina told me while we were at her workshop. I had just returned to her after talking to Tink near Pixie Hollow after what transpired at the Jolly Roger. "I mean, James said he was a psycho and what he did to us was not okay, but cutting off someone's hand like that? Is he okay?"

"He's fine," I told her. "After Peter Pan left, Tink managed to wrap the wound, and he looks like he's doing better. The croc feels guilty, though. I mean it was an accident, but still."

"Yeah," Zarina replied. "Remind me to thank Tink next time I see her."

"Has she come by?" I asked.

"No," she answered. "I think, aside from Chloe, you are the only one who has spoken to her since this whole mess."

"I was afraid of that," I responded. "I just hope she doesn't grow fond of Pan."

"That makes two of us," a voice from behind us claimed. I turned from behind him to see James with a hook where his hand used to be, accompanied by Smee. "That boy has crossed the line."

"James!" Zarina called out and flew towards him. "Are you okay?" 

"I'm fine, Zarina," he answered. "Thank you. Is your other friend here? I owe her a thanks."

"No," she answered downcast, while signing for Smee. "Tink is still with Pan. Undercover and all."

"Listen, James," I responded as I flew towards the three. "I am so sorry about the crocodile-"

"Ahhh!" James screamed as soon as the word crocodile left my mouth. I guess the event has him traumatized. He then ran towards the workshop up at the top of the rocks.

"Apologies," Smee said to us as he followed James. "The captain has been traumatized since the events."

"Tink told me he saved you," I told him, while signing my words to him.

"I was surprised too," Smee confessed. "That blade was originally meant for me." We then turned to see Zarina helping James calm down and guiding him back to the canoe.

"He's calm for now," Zarina told us. "But, maybe he should get back to your ship and let him rest a bit more."

"Quite right," Smee agreed. "Well, send your friend our thanks and we'll discuss plans tomorrow." Smee then got back into the canoe and rowed James back to the Jolly Roger.

After a couple of hours with Zarina, we both flew back to the others and got things ready. With summer approaching in a few weeks, we needed to be ready. This is our first season change with limited help after all. 

"They're back," Cera called out as she flew towards us. "Is everything okay?"

"James lost his hand," Zarina mumbled. 

"WHAT?" Fawn yelled out as she flew towards him. "How?"

"Take a guess," I told her. 

"Is Tink safe?" Fawn asked.

"She is for now," I answered. "She managed to save James, but the crocodile ate his hand by accident."

"How does a hand get accidentally eaten?" Elwood asked as he joined in. 

"It happens when you feed the crocodile an apple right as the hand is dropped in the water," I explained, guilty for my hand in the accident. "Tink managed to find some stuff in the hold and bandaged his hand."

"He now has a hook," Zarina stated.

"So I guess we can call him Captain Hook now, huh?" Elwood responded jokingly. 

"Not happening," Cera, Zarina, and I said at the exact same time with just glaring at him. I know he is trying to lighten the mood, but some jokes should not be said.

I then turned to Cera. "Is everything ready for summer?" I asked her, trying to focus on our tasks. 

"Yeah," Cera answered. "I got the last of the supply. We're done early, so now we just need to find a way to make sure Peter Pan doesn't spot us flying outside of Pixie Hollow."

"Maybe Tink can find something," Elwood proposed. "If she's with him all the time, maybe she's at least found out something about that."

"That's actually a good idea," Fawn responded, impressed. "Vidia, you should talk to Tink and see what she knows."

"I will," I agreed. "But tomorrow, Tink is in no place to think clearly."

"Alright," Cera said. "With that taken care of, let's eat."

Cera then guided us to where the other fairies were sitting and provided us with some food. I was about to sit and join them when I noticed Zarina sitting away from everyone, looking towards the pirate ship. Knowing that she probably needed a talk, I flew over to sit right beside her.

She gave me a quick glance and then turned back to the ship. "Is it weird that I miss it?" 

"Miss what?" I questioned for clarity.

"Sailing through Neverland on the pirate ship." She clarified. "Is it weird that I miss it?"

"No, I don't think so," I answered. "Do you miss being the captain?" 

"No," she answered. "I didn't need to be captain. I just liked sailing with them and exploring. I know he wasn't my real friend, but I still care if he's okay. If he wanted to be captain, that's okay. I never wanted that. I just wanted to sail with them, explore, and study all that I can find."

"Maybe after this is over, you can join his new crew as a member," I suggested. "I'm sure James will need an extra set of hands to help out."

"I don't think I could," Zarina admitted. "We only have this truce until Peter Pan is defeated. When this is over, I wouldn't be surprised by another betrayal."

"The betrayal still haunts you, doesn't it?" I guessed aloud. 

"Maybe," Zarina implied. "It wasn't just about leaving me behind. It's just that, aside from Tink, no one ever took my research seriously until I switched talents. Even though it was probably fake, James still made me feel like I could achieve it all. You know it was actually him who motivated me to try the talent swap thing?"

"Wow, another reason to be irritated with him," I claimed. But it was nice hearing her talk about the good things that happened on the ship. "You know you don't need him to go exploring. I mean, Tink has done it by herself without a pirate crew one too many times, and that's without knowing certain obstacles on her path. With your pirate history, you might fare better off."

"You really think so?" Zarina turned back to me and asked.

"Yeah," I confirmed. "Once this whole mess is over, and if Tink is not 100% traumatized, maybe she can make you one of those balloons she made a few years ago." 

"Yeah, Zarina claimed. "That would be nice." The two of us then sat together for the rest of the night talking about places she would travel and things she wanted to see. I hope that one day, she does get to see all of those places.

Chapter Text

Tink,

I heard what happened to the Pirate you once told me about. It turns out that the barrier still allows us to see and hear what goes on outside. I was navigating the barrier and I hears you talk to Vidia about what happened. You need to know that this isn't you fault. What happened was terrible. I won't deny that, but you saved his life. That is something worth acknowledging. 

With that out of the way, You probably want to know about certain events in Pixie Hollow. Alot of the fairies are bummed that we obviously can't do the mainland's summer camp this year. Especially Silvermist and Iridessa are upset. Rosetta is faring well though. When she is not experiementing with new plants, she's been coming to the winter woods with me. Partially to help with research, mostly to spend time with Sled. It's so clear they like each other, but when will they admit it? 

I miss being able to tease them with you. We always had a lot of fun doing that. 

"What are you writing?" Silvermist cut in, throwing my off my writing. Today, she accompanied us to the Winter Woods to aid Dewey in research. I had taken a step back to write.

"Nothing," I tried to deny, while closing the journal. "Why are you here?"

"Periwinkle said you stepped out a bit," Silvermist explained. "What's with the book? You come up with new Poems?" 

"If I did, I wouldn't tell you," I answered. 

"But you would for Tink," She retorted. 

"She would always proof read," I reminded her. 

"So are you going to tell me?" She kept prying.

"Fine," I relented. "Just don't tell the others. I've been writing letters to Tink."

"Really," she replied in a suprised yet grinning tone. 

"I know she won't be back for a while, but it helps," I explained. "I mainly just write about things going on, jokes, and yes a few poems. None of which are pleasant lately."

"That's so sweet," Silvermist compliemented. "Why wouldn't you want anyone to know?"

"When the others at the depot are not looking at me like an injured animal, like you guys do, they tease me," I said. "If they find out I'm doing this, I will never hear the end of it."

"Okay I won't tell," she promised. "So are you going to give her the book of letters?" 

"I'm planning on it," I confessed.

"Well I'll let you get back to writing," Silvermist told me as she flew back to the Winter Library.

I miss being able to tease them with you. We always had a lot of fun doing that. Also Silvermist now knows about the letter book. She's agreed not to tell the others, but something tells me I won't be hearing the end of it from her.

Your sister is doing fine. When I told her about what happened, she did not take it well. I'm just lucky that this time, Gliss was there to distract her with a snowball fight. I know summer is coming around the corner, and it's yor second favorite season for mainland travel. I'm sorry that you won't be able to see Lizzie this summer. I remember you telling me, why this summer was going to be exiting for you 3 months ago.

"You know Lizzie told me she's sarting secondary studies after this summer," Tinkerbell told me as we were in her house enjoying tea. "According to her father, she is going to be extra busy in the summers afterwards with assignments and apprenticeships as they call them." 

"Really?" I replied shocked. "What all for?"

"She wants to be a vet," Tink told me. "That way she can help animals and us at the same time. She's even looking into ways to make animal sanctuaries."

"That's amazing," I claimed. "What does that mean though for summer?"

"It means, that this may be our last full summer to spend time with her until she finishes her studies," Tink confessed to me. "I want to make it one she'll remember."

"Every summer she spends with you is memorable to her," I reminded her. "But what do you have in mind?" 

"Well, aside from our usual picnics..." Tink then began her explanation for her plans.

I hate that we won't be able to see her this summer, but maybe one of the others will explain the situation so she won't think you abandoned her. I just hope they don't let Vidia be the one to do it. No offense, but she is the last person you should trust to handle something as delicate as this. 

I'm sorry I'm rambling, but it's been rough since we have been split up. We haven't been this long without interacting with each other since the moonstone debacle. At least back then, I had the illusion that everything was okay. I just hope we find something that can get us out, or at least a way to communicate.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                -Terence

Chapter Text

Terence,

I screwed up. I tried to do the right thing, and I think I made it worse overall. This is worst than the moonstone and the freeze, which I would like to claim for the record was NOT MY FAULT, combined. It all started when Vidia asked me to help the other fairies find a way to sneak out of NeverLand to deliever summer to the mainland. I promised her that I would look into it, but  when I came back, Peter Pan was waiting to make an announcement.

"I think we should find some more people who would enjoy this place," Peter Pan claimed. 

"Really?" I questioned nervously. "Why's that?"

"Well we haven't had any luck finding your friends and this place can get boring with just the two of us terrorizing Hook," Peter Pan explained with that nickname for James that I hate since he lost his arm. "If we find some others they can join in on all the fun. We'll have enough people for games to play, stories, and even some new tricks on that codfish."

"So who did you have in mind?" I asked him feigning interest and acceptance in his plans. 

"I've been taking a look around London and I saw one girl who would love it here," Peter Pan claimed. "I think you'll like her, she knows so much about fairies and she even has some drawings of one that looks just like you." 

"Who is she?" I asked nervous. It can't be...

"Lizzy, I believe," Answerd Peter Pan and confirmed my fears. "Why do you ask?"

"Just curious," I lied. "So when are you grabbing her?"

"I'm thinking at the beginning of summer," Peter said. "She'll have so much fun, she won't even notice when summer is over. She'll be in our grasps. But we have to act quick, if she grows up she'll have obligations and it won't be as easy to get her to come by." 

"What do I need to do beforehand?" I went along with his plan to gather info.

Peter Pan then asked me to look into where Lizzy's school would be at. I don't think he knows that I know her personally. But to be safe, I gave him a school name similar enough for him not to get suspicous, but easy enough to make it look like a mispronuncitation. But, I also saw it as an oppurtunity to give the others a way to sneak out of Pixie Hollow. I met with Vidia again and told her what Peter is planning. As usual, she was not happy.

"So you gave him the name of the wrong school?" Vidia asked from the recap. "Isn't that dangerous?"

"Yes," I confirmed. "But, the names are so similar that Peter will believe it was a mispronunciation."

"How similar?" Vidia egged on.

"The school I told him of has an extra L in the name compared to her school," I explained. "While Peter checks that place for Lizzy, I'll go to her at her school and explain to her that she needs to stay with her father in London this summer for her safety. Then you guys can leave Neverland after I do to handle summer prep."

"Really," Vidia responded. "But you would still be able to have that dream summer with her you were planning if Peter brought her here. Don't you still want that?"

"Of course I do," I answered truthfully. "But Peter wants to keep her here forever, and I can't risk that. If it means I won't be able to see her for a while then that's the way it has to be. I have to keep her safe."

"Painful but safer," Vidia lemented quietly. "Do you think this was the talk Milori and Queen Clarion had before the border decision?"

"Maybe," I replied. 

Vidia raised a good point about similarities between my choice and the one reguarding the border, during our talk. As you know, when I first told you all I knew about the origins of the border and Milori and Queen Clarion's mistakes, I was furious that their one choice caused me to be seperated from my sister, the freeze, and my broken wing. But with the choice I had to make to save Lizzy, I get it now. Like me now, she was just trying to do her best to save people. Lizzy may be my friend, but Milori is someone Queen Clarion loves and the fact that she had to sacrifice that love for safety must have been worse than how I am feeling.

Clarity aside, when it came for Peter and I to head to the mainland, we split up to go to our locations. Peter went to find Lizzy at the wrong school, while I went to warn her at her real school. I'm just lucky her father was there to help. To Pan's knowledge, I am looking for more lost things.

I checked every window at her school, to find her room. Most of them still had the lights out, but then I saw her with her father packing up before leaving to the country side. He is still busy with his job at the museum, but he can now leave Lizzy alone at home. Seeing them, I knock on her window.

"Tinkerbell," I heard her say through the window as she rushed to open the window to let me in. "I thought we were meeting at the house with the other fairies."

This statement caused me to frown as I looked her in the eyes. This was going to be the hardest thing I had to do.

"Miss Bell," her father looked towards me. "What's happened."

Not trusting words to come out of my mouth, I mouthed what I wanted to say, while solely relying in sign language to convey my point. 

"A shadow walker had trapped my friends in Pixie Hollow, and they can't leave," I mouthed while signing. "A few got out, but you are in danger."

"What do you mean?" Lizzy asked worried. "And what's a Shadow Walker."

"A creature of chaos," I signed. "He's dangerous, just a few weeks ago, he cut off a man's hand. And to makes things worse he's after you."

"Why does he want my daughter?" her father asked. 

"He saw her drawinga of fairies and thought she would want to come to Neverland to see real fairies, he's planning to keep her trapped there with the two of us," I continued my explanation.

"Wait why are you with him?" Lizzy questioned.

"It's the only way to keep the other fairies safe and find a way to free them," I answered, still using sign language. 

"What are we going to do?" Her father whispered in concern and soft panic.

"Take Lizzy with you to London," I told them. "When the Shadow Walker realizes that Lizzie is not at the school I told him about, he'll come for her at the country side." I then turned to Lizzie, who was in tears. "I'm so sorry, but we won't be able to see each other this summer, not if I want to keep you safe." 

"I know," she accepted and she brought me in for a hug, so I wouldn't see her cry. "Just promise me you'll be safe and that you'll come back as soon as you can. Even if it's at school, just come to me please."

I pulled away from the hug and signed to her, "I promise." I then turned to her father. "Make sure everything is locked up," I signed to him with a stern face. "We can't take any chances with him."

"Of course," her father replied and grabbed her bags. With one last hug between Lizzy and I, I flew out the window and once again ran into Vidia.

"Did you finish summer prep already?" I asked in a whisper.

"Yeah," Vidia answered. "Did you talk to Lizzie?"

I couldn't say anything without crying, so I simply nodded my head.

"She'll be safe at least," Vidia told me, as she brought me in for a hug. 

"I know," I agreed. I then pulled away from the hug and flew back to Neverland.

It was worse than I thought it could've been. Lizzy was so upset, but she'll be safe. Her father knows of the situation too, so that should help matters. I wish I could say the same for the person Peter brought back instead.

Once I got back to hangman's tree I went to my little space and started sorting through my thoughts and some of the lost things I found. Mainly some buttons with weird designs. I personally liked the one with the golden T on it. Maybe Terence would like it when I see him again. Just as I moved it to the side, I heard Peter Pan come by with another voice folling him screaming. In a panic I rushed outside to see Peter Pan with a boy in a fox like costume sitting on Peter's seat.

"Whose this?" I asked Peter worried. 

"Well you know the school you told me about?" He said as he glared at me. "It was an all-boys school."

"Wait you went to that school?" I reacted feigning shock. "Her school is called Lalice, not Lallice. You misunderstood the pronunciation."

"Good thing I did," Peter claimed more upbeat. "Found this boy hanging out on a roof." Peter then flew over to him a pulled the hood down in front of his face. "Boy wanted away from his mean father, so I invited him here. Tinkerbell meet Slightly, Slightly meet Tinkerbell."

"Nice to meet you," I greeted as I shook one of his fingers. 

"Well go get settled in Slightly," Peter Pan ordered him. Once the boy left, the two of us were alone.

"Sorry about the misunderstanding," I faked an apology. 

"I'm glad we had a mix up," Peter replied happy. "Lizzy seemed nice, but probably way too grown-up. Thanks to you we got a real fun boy here to have fun with. Hook won't know what hit him, when we come at him with more of us."

"More?" I repeated suprised. 

"I'm thinking with Slightly and a few more kids like him, we can have a fun little group," Peter Pan explained. "Having you around has been the best thing yet."

It turns out my plan to keep Lizzy safe ending up costing another boy his freedom. The worst part is that the boy doesn't believe himself to be a prisoner. Instead he sees Peter Pan as this fun loving spirit who is giving him an endless escape. Now, he's going to find more boys like Slightly to form a group, and it's all my fault. I wish you were here, you would definetly know what to do. 

By the way, I found this really cool button like thing that I think you'll like. 

                                                                                                                                                                                         -Tink

"Tinkerbell," I heard Slightly's voice called out. I then closed my book and went to where Slightly was scared. "Can you tuck me in?"

I then nodded at him, and flew over to Slightly's bed and tucked him in, like I used to do for Lizzy. As he fell asleep, I watched him and came to a moment of clarity. I then went back to my area and reopened to my latest letter to Terence.

I may have failed to keep him out of NeverLand, but will protect him from Peter Pan's full control. And if somehow Peter brings anymore boys as Lost as Slightly, I will protect them too.

Chapter Text

After checking in on Tink at the Mainland, the other fairies and I rushed back to Neverland before Peter Pan and Tink could return. Tink hasn't been taking her goodbye with Lizzy well, but I knew she wouldn't, not after our talk the other night. I just hope one day, they can meet again. In other words, I love speed but rushing a season change is the worst. The rush of changing season wore all of us out. We were lucky to get back undetected. 

Once we got back, the others decided to rest. I, on the other hand went with Cera to check on Zarina. Once we got there, we noticed that she was out like a light.

"So I guess we wait?" Cera asked me.

"You can stay up," I mummbled as I sat on a rock ledge. "I'm going to rest."

"How are you more tired than me?" Cera judged me. "I did alot more work with water than you did with the breeze."

"I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm also the one who goes to check on Tink," I reminded her. "So maybe I'm exhausted from those flights and check-ins."

"Right," Cera accepted the answer. "Plus it doesn't help that you've also been talking to Zarina about your problems instead of resting."

"Wait how did you know that?" I questioned her.

"Water talks," she answered. "So how did her talk with Lizzy go?"

"Lizzy's safe, but Tinks a mess," I told her. "She keeps telling me she's fine, but I don't think she is. I've seen her staring at where Pixiw Hollow is, her writting in a book constantly, and her lost thing hunts aren't even cheering her up."

"Okay that's bad," Cera agreed. "You know what she writes in that book?"

"I don't know," I responded. "You have any ideas."

"Oh do I," she claimed. "According to words of certain waves, apparently in the book are letters she writes to a certain dust-keeper."

"Wait seriously?" I reacted suprised. "She's writing letters to Terence?"

"Apparantley, she claims it helps keep her sane," she confirmed. 

"How many letters do you think it will take before she realizes her feelings for him?" I joked.

"With everything going on," Cera reminded me. "Probably not until the barrier is destroyed."

"Good point," I accepted. "So has the water said anything else?"

"I don't know let me check," Cera decided as she went to the water. I then flew to Zarina, who had just woken up.

"Okay, I now see why you and Tink get along so well," I teased her as she got up. "You both have sleep-work habits."

"Very funny," Zarina glared at me as she sat up. "How did it go?" 

"Painful, but effective," I responded. 

"Did everything go to plan?" Zarina asked me.

"Yes," I confirmed. "But please don't ask for details, I'm too tired."

"Noted," Zarina accepted the answer. "Is Lizzy safe?"

"She is," I responded. "Turns out Tink's plan to misdirect Pan worked."

"Good," Zarina replied as she started cleaning up her equipment. "Cera listening to the water again?"

"Yeah," I confirmed. "I'm hoping it's good news. We could use some."

"Tell me about it," Zarina agreed. "James came by today. Apparantley Elwood's terrible nickname has caught on."

"Yeah Tink had some words about that," I responded. "If it weren't for how worried I am, I would be proud of her vocabulary." 

"How bad?" Zarina asked me.

"Almost made what Tink first said to Lizzy's father look innocent in comparison," I answered.

"Yikes," Zarina replied. "Has she found anything new?" 

"No yet," I responded. "But she's gaining his trust, so let's hope for the best." I then flew over to where she moved to sit. "So what did James want?"

"He wanted to apologize," Zarina confessed. 

"Really?" I spoke shocked. "Why now?"

"After he calmed down, he claimed to have had a momemnt of clarity," Zarina explained. "He claimed that he felt bad about betraying me and that he did genuinely enjoy having me on the crew. I don't know why, but I want to believe him."

"Because you still view him as a friend," I suggested. "Near death or tragedy has an effect on people. I mean look at Tink with her rule breaking after the wing scare. Since then she talks to people before breaking rules, although she seems to not stick around near Queen Clarion much."

"Wait really?" Zarina interuppted shocked. 

"Yeah," I confirmed. "Our talk about the Shadow Walker was the first time Tink sought advice from Queen Clarion since the freeze debacle. My point is, close calls, like Tink's and James' can effect people in strange ways. Maybe the effect on James, aside from trauma, was enlightenment upon his actions and his regret for his actions towards you."

"Do you really believe that?" Zarina asked me.

"Yeah," I confirmed. "How's the crew handling things?"

"They're coping," Zarina claimed. "According to James they're now calling him Hook as well. But unlike Pan, they treat it as a badge of honor rather than shame."

"Reclaiming a name," I spoke silently. "I respect that."

"Guys we have bad news," Cera called out, cutting off our talk.

"What happened?" Zarina asked as we flew to Cera. 

"Peter Pan has a recruit," Cera claimed. 

"Wait did he find Lizzy?" I voiced my concern.

"No he found a boy named Slightly to join his crew," Cera denied Lizzy's involvement. "Aparently he's considering forming a whole group of lost boys to join him in NeverLand. The worst part is that he's giving Tink credit for it."

Zarina and I then turned to look at each other. "Maybe we should consider giving Tink one of our therapy talks, when this is all over," Zarina suggested.

"Agreed," I said as looked back at Cera. "She's gonna need it."

Chapter Text

Dear Tink,

I hope you're doing okay this summer. I know how much you wanted to see Lizzy and I hope you at least were able to find a way to explain what was going on. This summer has already been interesting. So far I have already come up with some pieces of wisdom for you to know. 

#1 Never Trust Silvermist With a Secret

I learned this, not even a week after Silvermist found out about my letters to you. While she didn't tell the boys at the depot, she did however tell your other friends. Somehow it has gotten worse than before.

I flew back to Tink's house to do my usual dusting and cleaning. I have been doing this since we've been sealed off. I just don't want her to feel like she was gone for too long and I hope she appreciates the effort. Today, however, I flew in to see Iridessa, Rosetta, Silvermist, Clank, and Bobble waiting in her house. 

"What are you doing here?" I asked them.

"We could ask you the same thing," Rosetta retorted. 

"I'm just here to do some light dusting," I explained. "You know, what I've been doing since this whole mess began."

"You must really miss Tink, huh?" Rosetta teased.

"You've been writing to her lately?" Iridessa added. I then turned to Silvermist. 

"This is the last time I tell you anything," I declared to her.

"I'm sorry," Silvermist apologized to me. "They kept egging me on. Turns out Periwinkle saw the two of us talking and she along with them kept pressuring me."

"It's okay to miss her Terence," Bobble told me, as he put his hand on my shoulder. "And I personally think it's sweet." Clank then walked over knocking down a chair.

"Besides," Clank chimed, as I fixed the chair. "I'm sure Tink will appreciate the thought when she gets back. Are you planning on giving her the book?"

"I was thinking of doing so," I confessed. 

"FINALLY," Silvermist yelled. "I have been waiting for this for years."

"What do you mean?" I asked confused. 

"Are you Kidding ME?" she asked, still yelling. "You have had feelings for Tink ever since the beginning. Aside from spending most, if not all, your free time spending time with Tink, you helped her with the scepter, followed her all the way to an abandoned pirate ship, not to mention the fact that you literally sacrificed your chance at freedom to make sure Tink escaped from Pixie Hollow. You could have told her anytime, but you kept insisting that it's because you're best friends. We have been putting up with this for years and I am sick of it."

"Have I really been that obvious?" I asked after hearing all of that. To that, they all nodded their heads. "Look, if there was a sign that Tink feels the same, I would have confessed."

"Well one of you better," she mumbled as she then left the house.

"She finally snapped," Iridessa said. "Periwinkle called it."

"Called what?" Clank asked. 

"A few of us made a bet on what would happen first," Rosetta explained. "Tink saying something, Terence saying something, or Silvermist snapping. Sled and I said you would say something first, Iridessa and Vidia said Tink would say something the moment she realizes it, Periwinkle claimed Silvermist would snap first."

"Wait Sled was in on the bet and not us?" Bobble asked upset.

"We made the bet after a few months back when Tink and Terence were ice skating and they fell down that hill together," Iridessa explained. "You guys and Fawn were distracted with Fairy Mary's ice dancing routine."

"In our defense, she was amazing," Clank claimed. 

"Understandable," Rosetta responded. "Anyway, Sled brought up his theory that I agreed with and we just added our theories."

"We didn't mean to leave you out," Iridessa claimed. 

"Hold on you did what?" I cut in.

#2 Your Friends and Sister are Sneaky

I don'r know what got me more angry about the talk. Silvermist blabbing, or the bet they made. They haven't made fun of me for this book, but they are now looking at me like I'm, in Lizzy's words, "a wounded puppy." I think I should steer clear of Silvermist for a while though, she's been pretty angry since that talk at your house.

#3 Rosetta and Sled are truly a pain

The day after the confrontation, I went to the Winter Woods to help with more research to see if there are any weaknesses the Shadow-Walker might have and I saw something crazy. I went outside to talk to Sled about the bet, and I saw him and Rosetta on what appeared to be a date. It was actually kind of cute. They were sitting on top of one of the tree branches with a cute picnic basket. I think they're finally figuring it out. Yet, when I asked Sled about it he said they were just talking and denying it all. At this point I think they're mocking us. 

#4 Something is up with the Shadow Walker

Earlier today, I was investigating the barrier with Baden and the other scouts. Nyx and I went to the point near your hideout and we saw something strange. After you went with that new boy, Slightly I think, something happened to Peter Pan. 

"Terence," Nyx called out. "While I appreciate you helping us out with the scouting, shouldn't you be in the Winter Woods with research?"

"I needed time away from the others," I claimed. "Besides, I haven't found anything in the books and Baden said you guys were down a member, since Fawn can no longer join in her spare time."

"Don't remind me," Nyx mumbled. "So why do you need time away from them?"

"I don't want to be the subject of another bet," I answered. 

"Fair enough," Nyx accepted the answer. "Who won the last bet?"

"Periwinkle," I responded. 

The next few minutes of our route had us testing the barrier to see if we could find a weak point, but we had no luck. We were about to head back, when we saw Tink, Peter Pan, and a boy in a fox costume come outside the tree. 

"Have you seen him before?" I asked Nyx as I starred at the boy. 

"No," Nyx answered. "Could Peter Pan have brought him?" Before we could answer I heard Tink, Peter Pan, and the boy talking.

"Hey Slightly, do you want to help Tink find some lost things?" Peter asked him.

"Lost things?" Slightly repeated confused. 

"Tink likes to create stuff out of random items she finds around the area," Peter Pan explained as if he knows her so well. "Maybe you can help her find things around the beach."

"Like a treasure hunt!" Slightly compared. 

"Exactly," Peter Pan agreed. "I'll see you guys later." I then saw Tink walk with the boy towards the larger beaches of Neverland to look for certain items. Once they left, however, I saw Peter Pan walking towards the barrier. Nyx and I backed away, only to see Peter try to touch the barrier itself. Once his fingers hit the barrier, unlike what happened to Tink months ago, it pushed him back. 

Peter Pan then got up and it looked like he was confronting his shadow, as if it were another being entirely. "Why did you take Tink away from her home?" 

There was no response from the shadow aside from some eerie noise. "How was her home a threat? They were minding their own business. They don't deserve this. Neither did James or Slightly deserve what you made us do to them."

The shadow then made another weird noise. It was like Peter Pan was arguing with the shadow about their actions as if they had no control.

"I didn't want things to be like that," Peter Pan claimed. "Just stop hurting them. Tink is heartbroken, James is traumatized, and Slightly will be heartbroken when he realizes what we did."

The shadow then gave a hiss as it went closer to Peter Pan.

"No Stop!" he yelled as the shadow overtook him. Once the shadow faded, Peter's face gave a grin. "Time to have some fun." Peter Pan then flew away from our sight and towards the cove.

"What just happened?" I asked Nyx.

"I don't know," she answered. "But we need to regroup with the others and report this. If I'm right, then Tink is in serious danger." We then flew to the Pixie Dust Tree to report our findings.

Peter Pan seems to be arguing with his shadow about the action I have seen and heard him do, including our entrapment. But it seems that the shadow may have a hand in it. I think the Shadow may be giving Peter Pan what he wants but twisting it to fit its own desire for chaos. This leads me to my last piece of wisdom.

#5 YOU ARE IN MORE DANGER THAN YOU KNOW 

Nyx believes that this could be like the split identity of that book in Lizzy's father's study, Jekyll and Hyde. From what I remember from reading that book, the lack of control Jekyll had over Hyde made him dangerous to everyone around him. So if Nyx is right then, it's only a matter of time before he breaks. And when he does, you need to get that boy and everyone away from him before it's far too late. 

"We're about to speak to Queen Clarion regarding this issue and to see if she has found anything, so I will end this letter here. I know that, even without the barrier, I wouldn't be able to stop you from going through with your plan. But I just hope that you'll stay safe please.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       -Terence

Chapter Text

After Terence left Tink's house, the other fairies flew back to the workshop. While the other fairies were sitting, Clank and Bobble both had a question they wanted answered.

"So what led to that bet exactly?" Clank asked. The other fairies then looked at him and Bobble and decided to tell them about one of the funniest moments they've seen.

"Well it all started the day Tink finally got Terence to try ice skating," Iridessa began to explain. "And he was struggling."

"It's okay Terence," Tink told him as he was struggling to stand. "I had trouble the first couple times as well."

"I'm trying to at least stay standing without doing this," Terence replied. "How does Fairy Mary make it look so easy?" The two of them then turned to watch Fairy Mary performing even more elaborate figure skating moves leaving Fawn, Clank, and Bobble distracted. 

"I asked that question after the first time," Tink responded. "She still hasn't answered." The reply got a small laugh out of Terence as he stuggled again to not fall. Just as he was about to hit the ice, Tink grabbed his hands and pulled him up. "Here just hold onto me and I'll guide you through it." 

"Okay," Terence accepted nervously. The two began to slowly move across the ice, unaware of a few fairies watching them.

"So they like each other, but they haven't said anything?" Sled asked Rosetta and Periwinkle as they watched Tink help Terence. 

"You have no idea," Rosetta answered. "It's been like this since Tink's first spring."

"You know, when Tink was first telling me about all of you guys she spoke the most about Terence," Periwinkle revealed. "I asked her if they were a thing and she turned pink and rushed to change the subject to her firefly friend Blaze."

"How have they not figured it out?" Sled then asked. Rosetta and Periwinkle turned to look at each other and then back to Sled.

"We honestly do not know," Periwinkle answered. "When I asked her friends about it, they said that Tink refuses to say anything when questioned." 

"I would just like an answer at this point," Silvermist said as she flew towards them with Vidia and Iridessa.

"It's obvious to everyone but them," Vidia added. 

During this talk, Terence was slowly getting the hang of skating but was still holding Tink's hands. "How are you doing?" Tink asked. 

"I think I'm slowly getting it," Terence answered looking straight at Tink. "You're a good teacher."

"Thanks," Tink responded looking directly at him. "Ready to try..."

Before Tink could finish, Terence started to slip again and accidentally caused him and TInk to fall down a small hill. Concerned, the six fairies watching them flew over to where the two landed.

"Tink are you okay?" Terence asked as he rushed to her. He then helped her up, once he saw her just a few feet away.

"I'm fine," Tink reassured him. "This isn't the worst fall I've had here."

"You got a bit of snow.." Terence claimed as he trailed off and ran his fingers through her bangs to get the snow out. Desperate to hide her blush, Tink grabbed his hat that fell and placed it on his head. However, she was unaware of the snow in the hat and it caused the snow in his hat to fall all over him.

"Sorry," Tink apologized, while failing to hide her blush. To her suprise however, Terence just laughed.

"Guess we're even huh," Terence joked.

"Yeah we are," Tink accepted the joke as she laughed with him.

While the two were lost in their own world, the fairies that flew by to check on them and witnessed the cute interaction.

"Oh yeah," Sled said. "They like each other."

"Welcome to every day in the warm seasons," Silvermist claimed before flying back to the ice skating area, slightly aggrivated.

"After that, Sled asked who would want to bet with him that Terence would confess first," Rosetta explained. "I agreed with his idea. Iridessa and Vidia claimed that Tink would say something first."

"And Periwinkle claimed Silvermist would snap at one of them, before either of them said a word," Iridessa finished for Rosetta. "And thanks to our interrogation, we lost the bet."

After a few moments of silence, Clank and Bobble errupted into fits of laughter. "How could we have missed that?" Bobble asked. 

"Did Fawn know about what happened after?" Clank asked.

"No," Rosetta answered. "Wish we told her though, another thing we could have laughed about." 

"It's been weird not having them around," Iridessa claimed. "Do you think they're okay?"

"I'm sure Fawn, Vidia, and the others are fine," Bobble tried to reassure them.

"But what about Tink?" Rosetta asked. "According to Terence, she's with that Shadow Walker trying to find info."

"That I don't know," Clank replied grim. "But Tink has gotten out of worse situations, so who knows?" The others were able to find comfort in Clank's claim. "So any other cute moments between those two that we missed out on?" Clank asked to lighten the mood.

"Boy is there," Rosetta answered. 

As the fairies began to make jokes about their two oblivious friends, for one night, they were able troubles and worries and talk like it was just another day. Joking about certain events, talking about ideas for future endevors, and gossiping about things going on. The moments where they didn't feel trapped in their world. For a rare moments, it was like it was a normal day in Pixie Hollow.

Chapter Text

Dear Terence,

Alot has been going on in NeverLand with Peter and Slightly. First of all, Peter Pan somehow managed to recruit 2 new lost boys during one of my 'treasure hunts' with Slightly. Before you ask, yes he calls them treasure hunts. Anyway, the two new lost boys are twins named Binky and Marmaduke. Peter doesn't really know their names, nor does he care to ask. He just refers to them as the twins. It's frustrating, but maybe I can use the fact that I know their names as a way to bond with them and steer them away from him.

They've joined in on our searches and it's been pretty fun. In fact, today the boys and I found a flashlight, a diamond, and a giant metal cylinder with shapes cut out that looks like stars and people. Lizzy once showed me how to work the flashlights and how long they last before you have to use them, so I was able to do something pretty interesting with these items. I wish you could have seen it, the boys loved it.

"Tink," Binky called out to me. "Why are you putting the diamond in the middle of those things?" Since the boys can't understand me, I sinply raised one finger up to show them that I only needed a minute. It was nighttime and I decided to entertain the boys with a trick I learned from Iridessa and Luminara with the flashlight. 

"Tink what are you doing with that stuff?" Peter Pan asked, as he entered the hideout and sat in his chair.

"It's a suprise," I answered. For a brief moment, I forgot that he was someone to be weary of as I was lost in my creation. "Close the base please." Peter Pan quickly did what I asked and closed the hatches, before returing to his seat. "Alright, finished," I claimed. 

I then turned on the flashlight and aimed the light at the diamond inside the cylinder. This in turn, caused the light to reflect off the diamond and projected the images of people dancing on the walls. I turned to see all the boys smiling at the images in a rainbow glow. 

"This is amazing," Peter said without any sign of a cruel joke or comment following for the first time ever. Like the boys, he was lost in the light show. 

After everything that has happened in the past 6 months, I was starting to loose my excitement for certain things that I usually loved doing. But as bad as it is that these boys are near Peter Pan, I like having them around. Now before you say anything, I did talk to Vidia about these developements and even she agrees with how I'm feeling.

"So it's not wrong that I like having them around?" I asked Vidia during our meeting. 

"No," Vidia confirmed. "As bad as the situation is, I think having them around you is good for you."

"Why do you say that?" I asked for clarification.

"Aside from me," Vidia began to explain. "You have only been able to depend on Peter Pan for regular conversations. When I first heard of Slightly coming to Neverland and Peter Pan thanking you, I was worried. Especially with the lost thing issue causing panic for the others. But you have that energy of yours back and honestly, I missed it."

"That's something I never thought I'd hear you say," I confessed to Vidia. "Did you hit your head?"

"No," Vidia denied. "Just chatting with the others and being away from home for so long will do that to you."

"Yeah I miss home too," I confided in her. To somehow try to distract me, she ended up changing the subject.

"Is it true you've been writing letters to Terence in a book?" she asked me to change the subject.

"Who told you," I answered, not realizing I confirmed her theory. 

"According to Cera, 'water talks,'" Vidia claimed. 

"Of course it does," I accepted. I still don't get how she is able to hear these things from the water. "It's just that we haven't gone this long without seeing each other. Even during our fights, we would still pass by each other."

"At least you two seperated as friends," Vidia reminded me trying to cheer me up.

"Yeah, friends," I mummbled. Vidia then turned to face me.

"Is there something wrong with that?" She asked me.

"No," I denied. "There's nothing wrong with that. I just want to be able to see him again soon. Preferably before next year's Autumn."

"The Revelry?" she questioned. "Why?" I then began to explain to her what happened after the last ceremony.

After the Last Revelry

"I am so glad everything worked out," I claimed as Terence and I sat at the Pixie Dust Tree. Everyone else went back home, after the celebration leaving the two of us at the tree.

"I can't believe we almost didn't have the ceremony," Terence claimed.

"You and me both," I agreed. "Again I am so sorry about what happened.."

"Don't worry about it," Terence cut me off. "I'll admit I was being a bit pushy and overbearing. It's just, I know how much this meant to you and I wanted to do everything I could to help."

"I know," I confirmed. "And you did. I never would have been able to handle this mess without you. Just promise me next time to take a few steps back in the future, if I need it."

"I'll agree to that on two conditions," he responded.

"And what are they?" I questioned.

"First off," Terence began to list as he grabbed my hand. "Next time you have a problem, please get help. I'm not saying it has to be me, but at least one other person or animal please."

"Trust me I learned my lesson," I reassured him. "What's the second condition?"

"Next revelry, we spend it together," Terence declared, as if I wasn't already planning that. "Odds are the next talent to make the scepter will not be the dustkeepers or the tinkers. Therefore, we can be able to spend the revelry together with no distractions, arguements, abandoned pirate ships, or rats. What do you say?"

"You don't even need to ask about that," I clamied. "But yes, next revelry will be a fun time for the two of us." I then grabbed his hand back to reaffirm the promise. Without thinking, I then leaned my head on his shoulder. After a few seconds of silence, I asked him, "if you were so insistent on me not doing things alone, why did you come for me alone?"

"If I'm being honest, it's because...." 

Before Terence could answer me, we were greeted by our hyper firefly friend. "Blaze," I called out as he flew into me. I then turned to look at Terence, "I promised him I'd let him crash at my place until we found him a home with the other fireflies. I should probably go."

"Yeah," Terence agreed looking down. 

"Can we pick up this conversation tomorrow?" I asked.

"Sure," Terence agreed. With that Blaze and I flew back to my house for the night.

"So, did he ever answer that question?" Vidia asked, after I told her the story. 

"No," I responded slightly disappointed. "When I asked him about it the next day, he told me not to worry about it. As much as I wanted to know, I wanted to respect his wishes so I never pushed. Although after everything that happened, I wish I did press on about it."

"Well when we get back, maybe you two can talk about it again," Vidia tried to cheer me up. "Maybe the absence will push him to finally tell you some things, or maybe it will push you to tell him something in turn."

"What do you mean?" I asked curiously. She then gave me her slightly irritated look, before giving me her semi-calm look.

"If it weren't for our circumstances, I would totally say some things," Vidia mummbled. "Look if being seperated from everyone and speaking to Zarina has taught me anything, it's that some things shouldn't be hidden forever. When we get back, you should say everything you need to say to the people you care for." 

"Does that mean I should tell Queen Clarion that I lost a bit of respect for her and certain authority figures after the Winter Woods incident?" I joked. This actually got her to laugh.

"No," Vidia answered, while failing to hide her laughter. "But if you do decide to do that, please tell me in advance so I can be there to witness it."

"Done," I agreed as we shook hands.

I want to keep our promise to enjoy the revelry together next year, but I worry how that's going to play out. I still wonder about your answer to that question reguarding the pirate ship, but I'm okay waiting. Vidia's right, it's a good motivation to ensure that I'll see you again.

Also I noticed something weird yesterday reguarding Peter Pan. After I left with the boys to explore the lagoon, (by the way, stay away from the mermaids) I went back to grab my book. When I got there, I saw Peter Pan and his shadow sperated. What's weird is that Peter was arguing with it and calling the shadow Pan. He was telling the shadow that they needed to let me go back home and that it was causing me trouble. But the weirdest part was that the shaow told him that it was why they brought the Lost Boys, as it calls them, so I wouldn't feel alone. Peter and Pan didn't see me, but I saw them. I then heard them argue for a few more minutes, before the shadow forced themself back into Peter.

Rest assured, I made sure the boys didn't see any of this. However, now I have even more questions. Why is the shadow acting like a seperate being? Is the Shadow the Shadow Walker? Is Peter just a victim in a different way? If so how can I save him and the others? 

I'm confused boyond doubt. But with this new information, maybe I can find a way to get info out of Peter when Pan is gone. It may sound crazy, but during the light show I saw Peter without Pan. If I can find a way to get him to fight Pan, maybe he can help us keep them safe. I know it sounds insane, but I have to try.

                                                                                                                                                                                                            -Tink

P.S. When I get back, you better answer that question or I will be giving you an earful. 

Chapter Text

Dear Tink,

These past 6 months have been strange. It's been weird not hanging out with you or even seeing you around. I know we made our choices, and I don't regret making you leave without me. However, that doesn't mean it has been easy. 

Anyway, the beginning of Autumn has been strange for all of us here. A lot of the warm fairies miss being able to travel to the mainland, and a lot of others have taken to new coping mechanisms. Just yesterday, Iridessa tried her hand at helping Clank and Bobble try to dig under the barrier. Obviously, it did not go well, and they are still in the infirmary. 

But it did give me some time to think about things and try to understand what I saw at the barrier. It made me realize a couple of things. Mainly that I owed someone an apology.

"Terence?" Silvermist called out as she glided across the water near the pond towards where I was sitting. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to check in after the other day," I explained to her. 

"Oh," she responded to me. "Listen, about what I said..."

"No," I cut her off. "You were right."

"What," she replied, shocked.

"You were right," I repeated. "I've been thinking about what you said, and you're right. I have been dodging things for so long. I thought I was doing the right thing for us by just accepting us as friends, but obviously, that was a bad idea."

"Mainly for two and everyone witnessing it," she claimed. "But I shouldn't have lost my cool like that."

"I'm glad you did," I confessed. "Honestly, I wish I did do what you said. Maybe then, this wouldn't be so hard."

"She'll find her way back," Silvermist insisted. "She always has a way of doing so."

"I know," I agreed. "But this threat has become more complicated, and now the danger for her is worse."

"What do you mean worse?" Silvermist questioned me.

Silvermist did not take my recap of my discovery about Peter Pan well. Then again, I will admit we have been irritating her for a while now. But, she did agree to join Nyx and me in trying to figure out this shadow emergence thing. So we took up the matter with Dewey.

"Keeper, have you found anything on what we talked about previously?" Nyx questioned him.

"I haven't found anything about this," Dewey told us. "And I've told you just to call me Dewey."

"Trust me, she never will," I told him. "But there has to be something. I mean, it's been months since our discovery and discussions about this. We can't just have nothing."

"I'm sorry," Dewey apologized to us. "But I haven't found anything." 

"Then I'll be looking through these books myself," I declared, trying not to yell, and started looking.

I'll admit I did not handle things well, and according to Nyx, 'I've been spiraling.'

But I was right, there was something we missed. It just wasn't in the library in the Winter Woods. Let's just say I now understand your rant after the freeze incident regarding Queen Clarion's choices even more.

"Queen Clarion," Silvermist called out as we flew towards her in her residence. "Do you still have the book that you showed Tink and Vidia?"

"Yes, why?" she confirmed, confused.

"We found out something about the Shadow Walker that needs explaining," Nyx claimed. "Your book may have the answer."

"Very well," Queen Clarion then grabbed the book and handed it over to us to read. The book revealed to us something shocking.

"So the monster isn't Peter Pan, but the shadow," I reiterated. 

"Yes," Queen Clarion confirmed. "Peter Pan is merely a vessel. The shadow is the enemy."

"Why didn't you tell Tink this when she asked?" I asked, fighting the urge to yell at her.

"Because to kill the Shadow Walker, the boy will have to die," Queen Clarion explained. "Based on what Tink told me, it seems as if the Shadow Walker is too bonded to the boy. Separating them will be impossible."

"You want Tink to kill him?" I asked, upset at the idea of Tink doing something unforgivable.

"I wish she didn't have to," she claimed. "But it's the only way to stop the creature. She needs to find a strong source of magic and aim it directly at the shadow."

"What would be strong enough to do that?" Nyx asked. "I thought you had a light magic that once demolished dark creatures."

"Yes, I do," Queen Clarion admitted. "However, no queen has ever used this type of magic to deal with a creature like this. Any info is either lost to time or recorded so long ago it's hard to know if it's accurate."

"Of course," Nyx accepted. "The last thing we need is another Gruff misunderstanding. Speaking of which, I need to trade places with Nollie. If Fawn finds out I left him unguarded for even a minute, she will have my head." With that, Nyx flew off to Gruff's resting place.

"There has to be another way," Silvermist whispered. 

"I wish there was," Queen Clarion claimed. 

"This is why Tink lost respect for you," I finally yelled, having lost it. "After what happened the last time you kept things under wraps, you're doing it again."

"Terence," Silvermist whispered, trying to hold me back.

"No," I moved away from where Silvermist was coming for me. "Tink told me what happened to Milori's wings and the story of the two fairies. Let's be real, you didn't create that rule for the safety of Pixie Hollow. You created that rule to hide from your shame and used your duties to Pixie Hollow as an excuse. And after that went south, you're doing it again. Well, I'm not letting Tink get hurt for you to hide a second time." 

With that statement, I flew away, leaving Silvermist with the queen.

I'll admit Nyx was right. I have been spiraling. But Queen Clarion hid this info from you, so you would kill him when the time comes. I get it now, why you were angry. I want to believe she is trying to think of everyone's safety, but the thought of you killing someone worries me. And it's not for Peter, I'm worried that you'll never recover from this. So now I've made a decision.

                                                                                                                                                                         -Terence

"Terence," Silvermist called out as soon as I finished my letter to Tink. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to look at Clank and Bobble's escape notes," I answered. "I'm going to see if they found anything."

"But they haven't," Silvermist reminded me. "Iridessa and they are still recovering from their last attempt."

"I know," I confirmed. "But I have to try. I can't let Tink kill him. It would destroy her."

"Of course it would," Silvermist agreed. "But there's nothing we can do."

"Not if we get out," I argued. "If I can get out, maybe Tink won't be the one who has to kill him."

"Terence, are you..."

"If it'll save Tink, yes," I cut her off. "I'll be the one to kill the Shadow Walker."

P.S. When we see each other again, I want to talk to you about that question from the Revelry.

Chapter Text

"He did what?" Fawn said, laughing at what Tink had told me. I had just returned after Tink told me something concerning Peter Pan, and to lighten the mood after the report, I decided to tell Fawn and Zarina about Tink and Terence's promise. 

"I know, right?" I responded, laughing as well. "He asked her out on a date set for 8 years from that moment, and they still don't get it."

"At least Tink seems eager to keep that promise," Zarina chimed in. "But either way, Terence is a wuss."

"Agreed," Fawn replied. "She really wanted him to answer that question, but he brushed it off?"

"According to Tink, yes," I confirmed. An idea then hit me, so I turned to face Zarina. "You work with Terence often. Has he said anything?"

"Not since the teasing mob led by Fairy Gary after he broke the rules for her," Zarina answered. "But I would always see him counting down the seasons til the next revelry. Now we know why."

"Well, that stinks," Fawn said. "Do you think he was going to confess to her had Blaze not interrupted?"

"If he were planning on it, that would explain why he didn't follow through the next day," Zarina replied. "Gossip aside, did Tink say anything else about that shadow thing?"

"No," I answered. "But I did follow him after our discussion and saw him arguing with the shadow, saying to leave the mermaids out of it. However, I couldn't understand what the shadow was saying."

"Well, first good call avoiding the mermaids," Zarina complimented the boy. "Second, why can Tink understand the shadow and you can't?"

"I don't know," I confessed. "I wish Queen Clarion knew more about them when we asked." Something then came to me. "Did she ever tell you anything else about them when she handed you the moonstone shards?"

Zarina looked hesitant before she answered. "Queen Clarion did say a powerful source of magic could stop the Shadow Walker, but that the book was vague."

"And she didn't tell us or Tink why?" I questioned. At this point, I was starting to understand Tink's frustrations a bit more. 

"I don't know," she confessed. "I think she assumed Tink would eventually solve it on her own." 

"Yeah, because hiding things from Tink is so helpful," I replied sarcastically. "Did she learn nothing from the wing scare?"

"Okay, bad choices from the Queen aside," Fawn cut in. "We need to find this powerful source and fast."

"Fawn's right," Zarina agreed. "In the meantime, we should meet up with the others and get their help finding something to help."

"Elwood!" we heard Cera call out as she dove into the water. We returned to see some mermaids dragging Elwood into the water and Cera coming after him. The others were trying to grab the other fairies as they defended their area.

"What the heck is going on?" I yelled. This caught the attention of the other mermaids, who were trying to grab the other fairies. 

"We're not doing anything bad," a mermaid with black hair claimed. "We were only trying to drown them."

"THAT IS BAD!!" Fawn responded. "Let our friends go and leave us alone."

"Or what?" a mermaid with blonde hair asked. Cera then emerged from the water with Elwood in tow. However, he was unconscious and looked to be barely breathing. 

"Or else this," Cera replied from behind, controlling the water to splash them after I grabbed Elwood from her. 

"No wonder you hate mermaids," I mumbled to Zarina as we checked over Elwood. "Can you handle Elwood, while I help out Cera?"

"Sure," she answered. With that, I flew over to Cera to use the wind to help her scare away the mermaids. After a few minutes of wind and water, Cera and I managed to chase away the mermaids. I then flew back to Zarina.

"How is he?" I asked Zarina. 

"He's fine," Zarina answered. "I managed to get most of the water out of his lungs, and he's breathing normally now." She then turned to Cera. "Cera, go with Fawn, round up the other fairies, and see if we're missing anyone else."

"Aye aye," Cera mockingly agreed. The two then flew towards the other fairies to check on them and see if anyone else was missing. A few moments after Cera and Fawn left, Elwood started to regain consciousness.

"What happened?" he whispered after he coughed up the last of the water in his throat. "Wait, is Lumina okay?"

"Lumina?" I repeated, concerned.

"The mermaids were about to grab her," Elwood explained. "I managed to push her away from one, but I don't know what happened after."

"I didn't see her," Zarina answered for both of us. "But Cera would've told us if something happened to her."

"Good," Elwood replied as he lay back down. "You're hatred towards mermaids is valid," he claimed as he turned towards Zarina. 

"What exactly happened?" I asked him.

"The other fairies and I were practicing for delivering Autumn to the mainland, and then we felt a splash," Elwood began to explain. "We turned to see the mermaids. Olwen tried to take the peaceful approach, but when they saw we were fairies, they started grabbing us. Olwen got out with Chloe, but Lumina and Cera got stuck. I tried to help them, but, obviously,  that didn't go well."

"It's okay," I claimed. "You did good."

"Vidia, Zarina," Fawn called out as she was flying towards us. "Elwood, glad to see you're okay."

"What is it?" Zarina asked her.

"We found another mermaid near our area," Fawn claimed. "She told us she wants to speak with all of us."

"Why?" I questioned the mermaid's wish. 

"I don't know," Fawn confessed. "I saw her talking with Olwen, and she doesn't seem like she's going to hurt us."

Zarina and I then looked towards each other and then looked back at Fawn.

"Might as well hear her out," I declared.

The three of us then flew over towards our hiding place to see Olwen talking to a mermaid. I was surprised to see the mermaid was a little girl who looked to be younger than Lizzie, with black curly hair and what seemed to be purple mixed into it.

"You're okay," the young mermaid claimed as she smiled in delight. "I'm Marina." Marina then held her hand out for us to take. After what happened, we were hesitant to take her hand. She seemed to quickly notice this and dropped her hand in return. "Right," she replied to our response. "I don't blame you there."

"Just tell them what you told me," Olwen whispered to her.

"Right," Marina agreed with her. "You guys are in danger."

"Yeah, we figured already," I responded, given the situation we just escaped. 

"Just please hear me out," she insisted. "A few weeks ago, a boy dressed in green came by our lagoon. He somehow won over the other mermaids and told them how other fairies could be in Neverland."

"How could he know?" Chloe asked.

"I don't know," Marina answered. "He managed to convince them to help him get rid of any other fairies who were on the loose."

"Why would he do this?" Lumina asked.

"Being of chaos, remember?" I reminded Lumina as I flew closer to Marina. "Did he say anything about a blonde fairy dressed in green?"

"Yes, he did," she answered. "He said that she was the one fairy who was to be spared, and if any of us tried to hurt her, he would make us regret it. And, he claimed that none of us are to say anything to her about it."

"Woah," Elwood whispered, shocked. "But why tell us?"

"Because this doesn't seem right to me," Marina confessed. "I've been watching you fairies for months. I tried to sneak here to warn you all, but they followed me. I am so sorry."

"It's okay," Olwen said as she flew next to the mermaid to hug her. "You did the right thing."

"Won't you get in trouble for helping us?" Chloe asked.

"Yes," Marina answered. "But I couldn't let you get hurt. I want to help. Whatever you need."

I then flew towards Marina, and I held out my hand. "Thank you, Marina," I told her, accepting her offer to help. The two of us shook hands, or rather, I shook her finger. "Zarina will fill you in on how you can help us."

"Wait, where are you going?" Zarina asked.

"I need to warn Tink," I claimed. "If these mermaids are after us because of Peter Pan, then she needs to know. And if we're going to find that powerful relic, we're going to need the one fairy who can find lost things."

Chapter Text

Terence,

I don't know what scares me more, the mermaids after our friends, or the fact that Peter wants to recruit another lost boy to the group. I should start explaining both issues. 

First of all, Vidia spoke to me about what happened near the peak and what the mermaid that Olwen befriended told them. 

"I honestly should not be surprised at this point," I told Vidia at our next meeting. She had just told me about their incident with the mermaids. The thought of it alone was enough to appall me. "Is Elwood okay?" 

"He's fine," Vidia answered. "He's been taking it easy, and Lumina is keeping an eye on him."

"Good," I replied. "But I have to ask, how did Olwen befriend the mermaid who filled you in?" 

"I asked that exact same question," she answered. "But Olwen only said they just clicked."

"So, is she staying with you guys?" I asked. 

"She is," Vidia confirmed. "We could use the extra aid, and she did help us."

"Good," I accepted.

"So, how are the boys?" Vidia asked me.

"They're doing fine," I answered. "The twins and Slightly had a blast playing treasure hunt at the beach, but I worry about how much fun they are having messing with Hook and triggering his PTSD."

"You think Peter is a bad influence," Vidia concluded.

"Yes," I confirm. "Or whatever is controlling him."

"Are you still on that theory?" Vidia questioned me.

"I mean it would explain his personality twists," I continued. "The shadow seemed to be acting as the more chaotic side of our conversations with him."

"But if that is the case, does that mean he's also in danger?" 

"Possibly," I agreed. "We didn't have much time to discuss more about the Shadow Walker before we were all separated, remember?"

"Yeah, there's something I need to ask you about that day," Vidia confessed.

"What is it?" 

"Why did you talk to me and Terence before agreeing to talk to Queen Clarion?" Vidia asked the question I knew was eventually going to come. After a few seconds of silence, I finally took a deep breath.

"Vidia," I spoke as I turned to face her. "What I am about to tell you, I have only ever told Terence."

"Wow, this must be serious," Vidia mumbled, but then nodded for me to proceed.

"Do you remember when the freeze occurred and my wing was broken?"

"The one time where the chaos of your rule-breaking wasn't your fault?" Vidia joked. "Hard to forget."

"There's something I never told the other girls," I confessed. "Queen Clarion told me about why the rule was first created. At first, she kept the story brief and omitted the identity of the two fairies and the one who broke their wing. She painted it as if the rule was created to prevent more foolish fairies from traveling across."

"But that wasn't the whole story, was it?" Vidia theorized. I then nodded again.

"After seeing Queen Clarion and Milori, I put the pieces together," I continued, explaining. "After the party uniting the seasons, I snuck back into Dewey's workshop and I asked him more about the story that was told."

"What did he say?" Vidia asked, even though she already knew the answer.

"He confirmed it," I told her. "He told me about a threat that was about to destroy both sides of Pixie Hollow and how Queen Clarion got hurt. Milori sacrificed his wings to cross the border to save her."

"Just like how you crossed the border to save Pixie Hollow," Vidia connected. 

"Dewey claimed that Queen Clarion made the rule after Milori's wings were ruined, claiming the seasons were better apart," I resumed. "After that, I said by to Peri and went back to my house. Terence followed me to check in, and I told him about what happened."

"No wonder you lost respect for Queen Clarion after that," Vidia whispered. 

"She claimed to be doing what was best for Pixie Hollow, but was really hiding her own guilt. And her efforts to hide her guilt nearly destroyed me," I claimed. "I wasn't even planning to talk to her about this until you guys told me to." 

Without saying a word, Vidia pulled me into a long hug, and I started to cry.

It felt good to talk to Vidia about what happened and my anger. I know, I said I understand the difficult choices now, but it doesn't change the scars I have. I'll admit that you were right about talking to someone about these issues. When I get back, I really should open up about things to my friends and you more often. 

Once I calmed down, Vidia gave me an idea about how to get the boys away from Peter for a while without looking for lost things. To do that, though, I had to keep Peter busy. I'm not proud of this, but I asked Hook to create a diversion near the Mermaid Lagoon. On the one hand, I felt that maybe I was being too harsh. On the other hand, however, they do work for Peter, were told to drown our friends, and almost killed Elwood.

While Peter and the boys were busy messing with him, I went to the location Vidia gave me.

Arriving at the Indian Camp, as Zarina called it, I noticed it was similar to one of Lizzy's books. Their houses or teepees resembled those of the Assiniboin tribes that used to reside in a country Lizzy once told me about. A lot of them looked like they were busy, but one person who stood out to me was the girl who appeared to be with the leader. The glare she gave to one of the older men reminded me of the looks Nyx gave me when I was on my way to help Zarina.

Before I could see more of the camp, the girl noticed me and called out to the leader. 

"Reveal yourself," the man, who I believe to be the leader, said to where I was hiding. Not wanting to cause a problem and needing their aid, I revealed myself to the leader.

"Hello," I said nervously, while waving. "I'm Tinkerbell."

"You're the fairy with those troublemakers, aren't you?" a voice yelled out. This caused their leader to turn red in anger.

"Not by choice," I quickly replied.

"Why come here then?" another voice called out.

"I need your help stopping Peter Pan," I tried to explain. 

"The flying boy?" the girl asked quietly.

"Yes," I confirmed. "He has blocked me and others from our home, and he's trying to destroy those who escaped."

"Why would he do this?" she asked me. 

"Because he feeds off of chaos," I answered her. "He has little kids working with him and he's trying to get them to help him cause more trouble across Neverland."

"He has been causing us problems, too," she told me, walking closer to me. "He's been messing with our supply, calling us insulting names, even the group name he gave us is insulting."

"Tell me about it," I related. "I don't believe I caught your name."

"Tigerlily," she answered. 

"Like the flower," I commented. 

"Yes," Tigerlily confirmed. "You said yours is Tinkerbell?"

"Yes," I confirmed in turn.

"What do you need us to do?"

Tigerlily and I then formulated a plan to keep the Lost Boys distracted by making it a game. A hunting game, she called it. The two groups would each try to capture the other, and whoever captures the other team wins. It won't work long term or keep them away from Peter for long, but maybe even some more time away from him might keep them from getting too attached.

Right now, all I have to do is tell Peter and the boys about the game they are willing to play.  If it weren't for the dangers of this game, I might be inclined to join them in the games without worry. But right now, I'm just glad that they have another group of people to play with. I also spoke with Tigerlily about other plans relating to the boys once Peter is dealt with. Her father, who is known as a chief, has agreed to take the boys after Peter is defeated until we can find their homes. 

I just hope everything goes well. But for the first time in a while, I feel like things are finally working out. Hopefully, things are going well on your end as well. I'll write more soon.

                                                                                                                                                                                 -Tink

Chapter Text

Dear Tinkerbell,

First, in case the handwriting gave it away, this is Nyx writing. Terence hasn't been writing in this book for the past 3 months, mainly because he is focused on the escape efforts, but not in a good way. He has been down below the barrier during the day, trying to find weak points, and above the skies at night, trying to check there as well. 

Ever since Queen Clarion revealed how to defeat the Shadow Walker, Terence has been running himself ragged trying to break the barrier and get to Pan before you'll be forced to kill him. While I understand that it has to be done, I agree that she should have told you, especially given the negative effect it has had on Terence. Just last night, we finally had to restrain him and lock him in his house. 

Hopefully, by the time you read this, he'll have calmed down. Anyway, I should end the letter here before Terence asks about the book. I know you'll do what needs to be done.

                                                                                                                                             -Nyx

After writing a quick explanation in Terence's book for Tink, I closed the book and flew to the Tinker's nook where the others were waiting. Once I arrived, I noticed Silvermist, Clank, Bobble, Iridessa, and Rosetta waiting for me.

"Okay, if you all are here," I asked firmly to gain their attention. "Who is watching Terence?"

The others looked to each other in silence until Bobble finally spoke. "We asked Stone to keep an eye on him."

"Stone," I repeated.

"He's the only one who knows better than to tease Terence right now aside from Fairy Gary, and he's busy," Iridessa explained. 

"Good point," I accepted their reasoning and took a seat at the table. "Aside from Terence's discoveries before his breakdown, have we found anything else regarding the barrier or the Shadow Walker?"

"Well, after your talk with Queen Clarion," Rosetta began her report. "We decided to steer away from the Shadow Walker itself and instead steer our focus towards powerful artifacts that might be able to defeat him. With the mirror now useless, and other artifacts outside Pixie Hollow, we can't do anything on our side even if we get the barrier down."

"Well, keep looking, the sooner we find something, the better," I responded. I then turned to Iridessa, Clank, and Bobble, and as if they knew what I was going to ask, they spoke.

"After Terence's attempts to go underground, we found out how deep underground the barrier goes," Iridessa reported. "It's close to 10 feet deep from where we are sitting."

"We also check around the area, and we found the barrier is built like a sphere," Clank added. Bobble then went to the chalkboard and drew a simple sketch of the tree with a large circle around it. "We also know that, for some reason, we still get weather within the barrier. If we can find out how that is, we might be able to find a weak point there."

"Okay, keep investigating the weather patterns and get some of the lightning fairies to help," I replied. "Is there anything else to note?" The other fairies then looked at each other nervously and then looked at me.

"Do you think Tink will go through with killing him?" Silvermist asked.

"I don't know," I answered truthfully.

"I know it needs to be done," Rosetta confesses to everyone's surprise. "But she can't." 

"Even if she goes through with it, she'll never forgive herself," Bobble claimed. 

"Do you think Queen Clarion didn't tell her so that Tink will find another way?" Clank asked with optimism.

"You didn't hear her when she told us Clank," Silvermist answered for me. "She truly believes there is no other way."

"No wonder Terences is rushing over to her," Iridessa replied and then turned to me. "Are we going to let him do this?"

"Even if we try to stop him, he'll still try to get to her," I commented. If he was willing to break rules on Pixie Dust for her, killing would be nothing to him. "Anything else, before we conclude?"

"You want to be in our new betting pool for Tink and Terence?" Rosetta asked with a grin. After a few seconds of thinking, I couldn't help but smirk.

"What are we betting this time?" I questioned.

Chapter Text

"So how's the new boy adjusting?" I asked Tink. We met up near the cove to discuss recent developments, so Tink could claim she looked for lost things. While finding some pins, as Pan called them, Tink told me about the new Lost Boy Peter recruited after our last trip to the mainland. 

"I think he's doing well," Tink responded. "Peter kept trying to call him Chubby as his new name. I had to talk him out of it."

"Is he trying to get the boy to hate him?" I asked her. 

"I honestly don't know anymore," she answered me, while grabbing some more pins. "I was able to get him to agree with the nickname Cubby, though, so I consider that a win."

"Cubby," I mumbled as I turned back to Tink. "Is he the boy who was in the bear suit?"

"That's him," Tink confirmed as she grabbed the last of the pins. "It was the only thing I could think of."

"You know, usually you feel bad for the boys, but you seem generally calm with this," I pointed out to her.

"Well, I was there when Peter found Cubby," Tink explained. "Cubby was not safe where he was. What I saw was messed up."

"Must be bad if you agreed with something Peter Pan did," I acknowledged as I grabbed what looked like a giant ballerina from the sand. I then turned to her. "Do you think that girl lost her music box again?"

Tink then turned to look at the ballerina I was holding. "No, her ballerina had a blue dress and her hair was down," she explained to me. I looked at the ballerina again and noticed that, unlike what Tink described, the ballerina was in Pink and had her hair in a bun. 

"Humans always lose weird things," I mummbled. "So what are you thinking of doing with the pins?"

"I don't know," Tink confessed, to my surprise. "I'm just grabbing things so Peter doesn't ask questions."

"Okay, now I'm worried," I claimed. 

"Don't be," Tink tried to reassure me. "I'm sure the boys will have a good idea. The problem is making sure the ideas are not deadly. I do not want a repeat of the trap."

"Yeah, that was not fun," I remembered. A few weeks ago, the boys found a sharp trap in the ground and tried to play with it. Tink didn't go into too much detail, but from what I gathered, either Binky or Marmaduke nearly lost a hand. If it weren't for Tink, the boy would have been in danger. And to make things worse, Peter looked panicked before laughing as Tink got his hand out. Since then, Tink has been very cautious around the boys regarding what she finds and what she does with them.

"Have you found anything regarding his personality shift?" I couldn't help but ask her. She then looked at me with a grim look.

"No sign yet," Tink told me. "He did ask me a lot of questions about my other friends, though, mainly the other fairies. He claims it's to help me find them, but after what he told the mermaids to do to you guys, I doubt that is his true intention."

"What did you tell him?" I asked her, worried. 

"I only told him about the friends trapped in Pixie Hollow," Tink claimed. "I told him about Silvermist, Iridessa, Rosetta, Periwinkle, but nothing about you guys. I couldn't risk it."

"How come Terence wasn't on that list?" I asked her teasingly, while grabbing a giant cylindrical object. I don't know if it was because of the question or what I found, but Tink then flew over to me and grabbed the item. Before I could ask, Tink opened the item to reveal it was a compass. She then pricked her finger on the point that propped out. 

"A sharp thingy," Tink mummbled, and at that point, I had it.

"Okay, this is getting annoying," I told her bluntly. "Sit." I then guided her to a rock near the bag of pins and other items we found. "I have been pushing this off because of the situation and because of a bet I made with the others, but this talk needs to happen now."

"What talk?" she asked me, oblivious to what we had been witnessing ever since the beginning. 

"What is Terence to you?" I asked her.

"What?" she repeated in shock.

"I know you miss out friends, I do too," I confessed. "But you only write to Terence; he is often brought up by you when we meet, and to top it all off, you set a deadline for yourself to get back to him for what I'm pretty sure is a date. So again, what is he to you?" After a few moments of silence, I thought I had broken her. That was until she told me something that threw me off guard. 

"I don't know anymore," she confessed to me in a whisper. 

"You don't know anymore?" I repeated in surprise. Honestly, I thought she would at least deny it a bit more. But Tink being unsure is frightening to me.

"I thought I knew," Tink continued. "We spent most of our time together, we would also know what the other is thinking, fighting with him always hurt more than I fought with anyone else, he's the one I trust the most. I thought it was because he's my best friend, but what if that's not the case?"

"Are you saying-," I asked before she cut me off.

"I don't want to think about it right now," Tink replied rapidly. "I can't right now, when the time comes, I want to process this without worry." 

"That makes sense," I agreed. "I'm sorry, I guess I just missed teasing you like that."

"No, I get it," Tink responded. "Honestly, I've missed being able to joke around with you guys as well. If it weren't for you, I probably would've gone insane by now."

"Don't worry, we'll find our way back to Pixie Hollow," I told her as I grabbed her shoulder and pulled her into a side hug. 

"You seem so sure," Tink said. 

"I've guided you once, I'll do it again."

"What does that mean?" she asked. That was when I noticed my slip of the tongue. Knowing that there was no point in hiding it, I decided to tell her the full story.

"You know how when a baby's first laugh emerges, sometimes a fairy comes to Pixie Hollow?" I reminded her.

"Of course," she answered. 

"Well, what most fairies don't know is that a fast flying fairy is usually responsible for guiding the fairies for the warm seasons to the pixie dust tree. A few years ago, I was given my first fairy to guide. I was nervous beyond belief and thought I would screw up, but I somehow managed to get the fairy to the tree. Part of me was hoping she'd be a fast flying fairy, mainly so I could keep an eye on her, but for some reason, I was relieved when she wasn't. I was surprised to find out that, for some reason, she didn't have the basic knowledge that other fairies did when they came to be. I was worried I did something wrong when guiding her to the tree. I thought I was responsible, so I pushed her away and acted like a bigger jerk than normal. I released the thistles and tricked her, hoping to snap her out of her ideas, because I didn't want her to get hurt. After the mess and fixing my part of it, I realized that it wasn't the right way to go. While I decided not to do something that crazy again, I still wanted to protect her. It's why I sometimes joined to find lost things, or followed her to the human house, and it's definitely why I am checking in on her every chance I get, while she is stuck with a psycho."

I didn't realise how much I let out about everything until I turned to see Tink stare at me in shock. "You've always been worried about me?"

"Well, yeah," I confessed. "I don't know if it was because you're the first fairy I've ever guided or the fact that, for some reason, you didn't know things a basic fairy should know, but I felt like I had to protect you."

A moment of silence passed between the two of us in shock, before Tink initiated a hug between the two of us. No words needed to be said as I hugged her back. Actually, with all of that out in the open, I felt a lot better and lighter. Tink also seems to be feeling better, too. I think we both needed it. But if she goes into too much detail about this when writing to Terence, we are going to have words.